My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a

is so

her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake

of a box to the side. “Today is

which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her eyes

Rachel must blow

indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to such

he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your

lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking

gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she

you!” their parents instructed, standing

each other’s faces. Just like that,

streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled

courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your

worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for

“Go on upstairs, then.

she turned and headed toward the

was inside her apartment and about to

was propped open by a large hand

Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the

out on business? she

house

been getting along

she took two steps back. Why are you

pulled off his necktie and threw

were like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t

approached her, forcing her back inch

no idea what

pulled, she staggered after him and was